SUPPORTERS are backing moves to improve the atmosphere at Foote’s Lane for next year’s Cherry Godfrey Centenary Muratti Final. They believe moves to create a 5,000 all-seater stadium with temporary stands closer to the action will answer many fans’ criticisms of the venue.

There would be 800 seats behind each goal, 2,400 opposite the Garenne Stand and 400 next to the main stand which already seats 700.

The ambitious plans were given the thumbs up at Blanche Pierre Lane on Saturday.

This support came just days before the Guernsey Football Association’s affiliated clubs vote either to accept the proposals or return to the traditional Muratti venue at the Track.

St Martin’s AC stalwart Louis Laine, 84, who has been watching Murattis since 1933, said: ‘I agree with Dave Dorey [Guernsey Football Association president] that football’s going backwards if we go back to the Track. It will make all the difference with the stands there but look how far away from the pitch they are in Spain.’

Morris Le Page, 75, who has been watching Murattis since he was 10, was impressed by the plans.

‘I can understand not wanting to get away from the Track, but I think it will be the best solution in the future and they need to get the crowd closer to the pitch.’

St Martin’s AC president Henry Davey said: ‘If it gets people closer to the pitch, it’s a good idea. All the players moaned about was that there was nothing from the crowd because they were so far away. So it’s up to the fans and if they don’t make any noise and back the players, they have nothing to moan about if they are that close.’

Colin Renouf, one of Guernsey’s finest Muratti players, admitted the whole problem was that there was no atmosphere when he watched the Muratti at Foote’s Lane two seasons ago.

But his first impressions of the new plans were favourable and he believed it would help the Guernsey players.

‘It sounds good, but if they were not going to do anything and leave it as it was, I would have gone back to the Track,’ he said.

Referee Ted Teed also liked the look of the plans for Foote’s Lane.

‘There is no atmosphere there now whatsoever. I would be in favour of going back there but would not have been if it had not been for the plans and would definitely have been for the Track.’

Retired island women’s football captain Annie Machon, 36, said: ‘It’s a good idea if they move it down there providing they are closer to the pitch and I totally agree with Dave Dorey that we have to move forward. You could not see the game down at the Track.’

Electrician Jan Dame, 30, said: ‘It’s horrible when you are so far away from the pitch so I reckon the plans are really good. Before, you felt secluded from the game but it would be nice to have it there because the Track is a bit dated now.’

David Hampson, 38, a civil servant, said: ‘I think on the whole it’s a good idea and will improve the atmosphere. It’s a good all-round venue but has lacked a bit of atmosphere for football. If it rains, the people in seating will be exposed but it’s a vast improvement and the video screens will be even better.’

But Jim Kindred, who has supported Guernsey’s representative sides at all levels since moving to the island in 1979 from Yeovil, was sceptical.

‘They could have done that down the Track – there have been so many finals down there and that is where the centenary should be. Why not down the Track?’

‘You have the room at Track Lane to do what they are proposing at Foote’s Lane and there is an immense area down the side and behind the goals,’ he said.

‘One of the other reasons I can’t agree is that it is not keeping money in football. I’m a believer in trying to keep the dosh in the game. How much does the GFA benefit?’